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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Three-year follow-up at age 10 of children with minor neurodevelopmental disorders. I: Behavioural problems

I C Gillberg, C Gillberg

    Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
    |August 1, 1983
    PubMed

    Insights

    Children diagnosed with minimal brain dysfunction (MBD), motor perception dysfunction (MPD), or attention deficit disorder (ADD) at age six exhibited significant behavioral issues by age ten. These neurodevelopmental disorders were linked to persistent psychiatric health problems in childhood.

    Area of Science:

    • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
    • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
    • Pediatric Behavioral Health

    Background:

    • Minimal Brain Dysfunction (MBD), Motor Perception Dysfunction (MPD), and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are neurodevelopmental conditions affecting children.
    • Early diagnosis and understanding of these conditions are crucial for long-term outcomes.
    • Longitudinal studies are needed to track the developmental trajectory of behavioral problems in affected children.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the long-term behavioral outcomes at age 10 for children diagnosed with MBD, MPD, or ADD at age six.
    • To assess the prevalence and severity of behavioral and experiential problems in this cohort.
    • To determine if untreated neurodevelopmental disorders correlate with later psychiatric health issues.

    Main Methods:

    • A longitudinal study followed 61 children diagnosed with MBD, MPD, or ADD and 51 control children from age six to age ten.
    • Behavioral problems were assessed using teacher, parent, and self-rating questionnaires.
    • The study specifically noted that none of the index children received stimulant medication or other relevant drug treatments.

    Main Results:

    • Children diagnosed with MBD, MPD, or ADD at age six showed exceptionally high rates of severe behavioral and experiential problems at age ten.
    • The most significant issues were observed in children with Minimal Brain Dysfunction (MBD).
    • These behavioral problems were evident across teacher, parent, and self-assessments.

    Conclusions:

    • The high rates of reported disturbances suggest a genuine reflection of psychiatric ill-health in children with these neurodevelopmental disorders.
    • Untreated MBD, MPD, and ADD are associated with persistent and severe behavioral challenges into middle childhood.
    • The findings underscore the need for effective interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders to mitigate long-term psychiatric consequences.

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